Concrete Concepts
Article
The Sundek Story
The basic technology of combining Portland cement, silica sand and plastics together as a repair for existing concrete has been around for over 70 years. It has been used extensively in repairing and maintaining large concrete projects over the years.
In 1970 the basic premise of this technology was reformulated into a coating process that could be applied over existing concrete surfaces as a remodeling tool. A few years later a finish coat was developed to top the process and give an easily cleaned and repairable surface, yet one that allowed the concrete to breathe. This finish coat is one of the keys to the success of the SUNDEK process and the formulation is so unique that it is patent protected.
When SUNDEK was developed it was done under the company - Surface Decking Company. This corporation still exists today as the Los Angeles dealership. It is the testing grounds for all products or changes that come along. No change is given to a dealer until it has been extensively tested, either in Los Angeles or at specific test dealers under wide ranging climate conditions.
In 1973 the SUNDEK process was expanded into producing a multi-layer waterproof coating for waterproofing elevated balcony decks, roofs, walkways, etc. Due to the quality of the product it was given a Class A fire rating by the International Conference of Building Officials - the I.C.B.O. It stands today as the only one of three waterproof coatings in the United States with such a rating.
In the late 70s the process was expanded further with the introduction of SUNDEK Masonry Effects. This was made possible by the development of a unique plastic template and a newly formulated finish coat that would break along the edges, allowing a clean neat line at all grout joints. SUNDEK now had unlimited design capabilities and the demand for the product increased dramatically.
At this same time SUNDEK was also developed into the New Concrete Finish system, eliminating the need for a base coat on smooth newly poured concrete. This allowed us an economical and practical finish for new concrete with all the properties of a complete remodel system.
In the early 80s it was decided to expand SUNDEK to the national level and set up a dealer program. It was set up on a unique approach giving each dealer an exclusive geographic area to market in. This allowed each dealer to sell and install the product with a careful eye to the quality necessary for good applications.
Today SUNDEK and its dealer network stand alone, as the standard for the decking industry. SUNDEK'S success has generated many competitors, each reaching to equal the quality in our dealer program. We now have a US network of 85 strong, quality conscious dealers, as well as international group that includes dealers in Canada, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand, Brazil, Hungary, Israel, Hungary, Guatemala, The Bahamas, the Czech Republic and others.
SUNDEK stands as the only deck coating material to receive widespread public approvals in all climate conditions ranging from the state of Florida, the city of Los Angeles to the state of Illinois. It is the only coating to be accepted by testing authorities and specified daily by leading architectural firms and national account managers.
All SUNDEK applications are subject to rigid manufacturers application criteria for quality, and thousands of referrals are available nationwide.
The combined workforce of the SUNDEK dealer program in the United States now installs between and eighteen and twenty million square feet of SUNDEK each year. We are constantly researching and experimenting with new innovations in the cement and flooring business - Decra Wall, Safety Grip, SUNDEK Granite Effects, SUNDEK Commercial Finish System, SUNDEK Aggregate Effects and SUNDEK Kool Deck Refinish System being the latest innovations introduced.
With the quality
orientation of the people involved in SUNDEK and the innovations in markets,
chemistry and applications being constantly pursued, it is little wonder
SUNDEK finds itself as the industry standard today - often copied, never
equaled.